The shift in attitudes was swift and dramatic.
"I genuinely wanted to collaborate with your Miller Corporation," Mike Carter said, shaking his head with mock regret. "I've always considered your company to be a responsible and upstanding organization. But it seems the press conference was too high-end for someone like me to attend."
With that, Mike turned to leave, but James Miller's panic was palpable. He couldn't let Mike walk away—not when the stakes were this high. A single misstep could mean the Miller Corporation's complete ruin in River Valley City.
"Mike, this is all a misunderstanding!" James said, his voice pleading as he stepped in front of Mike. "Brother, give me a chance to make things right, won't you?"
Mike glanced at him coolly. "Do you really think you've earned that chance?"
James clenched his teeth, swallowing his pride. He had underestimated Mike, who had not only outmaneuvered them but also secured total control. The Miller Corporation, for all its bluster, had been reduced to a wounded beast on the brink of collapse.
"Mike, listen to me…" James stammered, his usual composure shattered. For the first time in his decades-long career, he found himself groveling before a university student.
Sensing the gravity of the situation, James shot a look at Chris. "Apologize to Mike. Now."
Chris, who had spent the day reveling in his perceived victory, was caught completely off guard. He hesitated, but his father's glare left no room for defiance.
"Mike, I'm… sorry," Chris muttered, his words barely audible as he avoided eye contact.
James's patience snapped. He slapped Chris hard across the back of the head. "Idiot! Is that how I taught you to apologize? Do it properly!"
Chris was stunned, his face flushed with humiliation. "Dad, the media's here!" he protested, his voice trembling.
"And what of it? Do you think the media justifies disrespecting your elders?" James barked, his rage boiling over.
Chris hesitated, then sank to his knees with a loud thud. The sound reverberated across the room, silencing everyone. Cameras flashed as journalists captured every humiliating moment.
James's voice softened as he turned back to Mike, his tone now full of deference. "Mike, how can we make this right? Name your terms. We're willing to split the show's profits with you. In fact, we'll attribute all revenue to you, and on top of that, we'll offer an additional year's worth of corporate income as compensation. All we ask is that you let us resolve this peacefully."
It was the best offer James could muster. The Miller Corporation couldn't afford to alienate its investors, who were already wary after today's events. Without a resolution, the company's reputation and future would be in jeopardy.
James signaled to his assistant, who hurriedly brought out a stack of contracts. "Mike," James continued, "these are the agreements for co-development, investment transfers, and additional compensation. We're willing to transfer all our shares in this project to you."
Mike glanced at the documents but didn't reach for them. Instead, he smiled faintly. "Do you think I'm after your money?"
James was a seasoned businessman, and he quickly grasped the subtext. "You're here for the Rivers family," he concluded. "We were wrong to underestimate them. How about this—whatever remaining shares we have, we'll transfer to the Rivers. From now on, their family will be our most valued ally. Will that satisfy you?"
James's voice was strained, each word like sandpaper on his pride. The weight of Mike's dominance was suffocating.
"It won't," Mike replied casually, shrugging. "You seem to have misunderstood. I'm not here to negotiate."
He turned on his heel, taking a step toward the exit. "I've got plants to water at home," he added, his tone dismissive.
James was at his wit's end. His voice thundered through the room. "Mike, stop right there!"
Mike paused, glancing over his shoulder. "So, I'm not your 'brother' anymore?"
James's face was a mask of fury and desperation. "Mike, you're talented, I'll give you that. But don't forget, you're just a rising star in this city. If you push too hard, it'll be mutually destructive. There's no point in taking things that far."
Mike smirked, his confidence unwavering. "Oh? What if I feel like pushing harder?"
"You—" James's fist clenched tightly, his knuckles white with strain.
"Relax," Mike said, his tone light. "You wouldn't dare do anything here. The media's watching. One word from me, and this entire place will be swarmed."
With that, he strode out of the building, leaving James frozen in place.
"Shut down the show," James finally growled at his assistant.
The assistant hesitated. "But, Mr. Miller… We've invested all our resources and millions of dollars into this. If we pull the plug now—"
"Shut it down!" James roared. He spat on the ground, his entire body trembling with rage. Mike's calculated moves had not just beaten them—they had humiliated them.
Chris, standing nearby, seethed with hatred. "Dad, we can't let him go! If we let him walk away, the Miller Corporation is finished."
James's jaw tightened as he wrestled with his options.
-----------------------------------------------
As Mike exited the Miller building, his phone buzzed with an unfamiliar number. Curious, he answered.
"Mike," a calm male voice said on the other end, chilling in its detachment.
"You're going to let the Millers go. Take full responsibility for what's happened."
Mike's brows furrowed. "And why would I do that?"
"You have five minutes to decide," the voice replied coldly, before the line went dead.